1995 Plymouth Acclaim Reviews

1995 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5 from North America

Summary:

I like it. It's a pretty okay car

Faults:

Transmission.

Other than that, nothing serious.

General Comments:

This is essentially my first car, and it's lasted me about a year. I've put 13,000 miles on it commuting 15 miles each way daily to school on the highway, and, really, it's been a trooper. I paid 850 for it, and I think it was a pretty good deal.

Considering that I've abused it pretty heavily, I'm not really surprised the transmission is failing now. Apparently it was overhauled 3 years ago by the previous owner, though, so I was kinda HOPING it would last me another year. Apparently these cars have pretty weak transmissions.

I've never had any trouble starting it (well except for that one time when the battery cables became corroded, but I just had to brush them off).

The front brakes are squealing a little nowadays, and the steering makes a screeching noise if I turn the wheel all the way (like when backing out of a parking space). I hear the screeching is pretty normal, but it didn't used to happen!

I like the speakers it has a lot. I installed a CD player, and they pretty much rock.

Generally the car handles fairly well, and was fun to slide around on gravel roads (I told you, I abused it!). Also, I think it handles awesome in the snow (unless it's deep snow).

At any rate, if you buy one of these cars, I definitely recommend NOT revving the engine right before it shifts into first gear from, let's say, reverse or neutral. Silly me.

16th Jun 2006, 01:37

The A413 is a pretty rugged, reliable automatic transmission. However, any transmission will fail under repeated, heavy abuse. The transmission would have lasted many years if not for your abuse of it. You brought the early failure upon yourself. Please turn in your driver's license and start walking to school. By the way, neutral drop aren't good for a transmission.

21st Feb 2007, 08:24

I disagree with the other person, its your car you can do with it as you please. I'm buying one from a good friend of mine for $300 nothing wrong with it. Just has 170k miles on it. But they are real good cars from what I've heard.

14th Apr 2008, 13:37

I'm guessing your Acclaim had the 2.5L 4cyl. They had problems with the cooling system. I've owned 3. 2 of them had problems with cooling. Replaced the thermostat in both. It seemed to fix one of the cars, but not the other, which kept overheating and leaving me stranded. Replaced the thermostat, coolant temp sensor, various hoses, and the heater valve. Finally had to dump the car because of this problem. Nothing seemed to fix it! Otherwise the 2.5L lasts a LONG time. Got almost 200k out of mine.

6th May 2008, 15:11

My '93 went through a phase of overheating. Replaced the thermo twice, replaced the radiator and fan. It ended up being a head gasket. Expensive at $700, but well worth it! 319,780 miles and still going like the day it was driven off the lot.

1995 Plymouth Acclaim 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

Faults:

Stock radio looses connection when it feels like it and then goes static. Then decides to re-connect a few days later. Must either be a ghost or loose wiring.

General Comments:

Parts are readily available and reasonably priced.

Had a little problem in the beginning with it stalling every once in awhile. Was told to run some Extra Concentrated STP Carb and Fuel Injector cleaner through it for 5 fill ups straight in a row. Afterwards, ran extremely smooth. When feels sluggish I throw another Regular STP Carb. and Fuel Injector Cleaner through it.

Get 24.5 to 25.5 mpg with it.

Great pickup speed and handles extremely well in all weather conditions here in Michigan.